Caroline Wilson

Intuitive Interim & Exec Search

What does my job involve?

Simply it’s about finding and recruiting the best candidates for the rail and wider transport sector on behalf of our wonderful clients!

What do I like most about my job?

Autonomy and getting the opportunity to utilise my strengths! I just love transport and I get a buzz from knowing that I play a part in how the public live their daily lives.

David Kightley

Head of Change, Rail Delivery Group

BSc Degree

What does my job involve?

Improving the quality of project delivery through providing consistnecy to the way we run projects and training our project communities.

What do I like most about my job?

The diversity and skills of the people I work with

Fiona

Executive Assistant to the Chair, Network Rail

BA in Law with German Law

What does my job involve?

Supporting the Chair of Network Rail in his work including: arranging and accompanying on visits; working with our Public Affairs team on writing speeches; co-ordinating correspondence and briefings; and learning more about the railway!

What do I like most about my job?

It gives me the chance to understand why the railway is so important in local and national economic growth, connecting both people and goods, and the impact it has on the communities it serves.

Jackie Painter

Senior HR Business Partner Projects and Change at Network Rail

Masters Degree Human Resources

What does my job involve?

I work with the business to identify major change from scoping out the design to the delivery. I design and lead on HR projects for example talent and succession design, strategic planning, culture / engagement

What do I like most about my job?

The variety of the work I do, some days I will be working strategically looking at future requirements for the next 5 years or in meetings talking about an exciting project or change initiative.

Kendra Ayling

Group Head of Brand and Marketing, Hitachi Rail

Masters Degree in Marketing

What does my job involve?

I manage the Hitachi brand and all marketing activity for the rail business, including exhibitions such as InnoTrans, events, social media, our website – and much more!

What do I like most about my job?

Every day is completely different, working across different events and bidding work across the globe – which involves a lot of global travel! I also have an amazing team supporting me.

Laura Beverley

Head of Strategic Planning and Assurance

MBA

What does my job involve?

I manage a great team of people who look at startegic planning, portfolio management, reporting against the delivery of the business plan and providing assurance of the plan through internal audit and risk management.

What do I like most about my job?

It’s such a varied role and the many challenges keep me on my toes. Seeing the full lyfecycle from strategy to delivery through to seeing the benefits gives me alot of joy.

Liam Hewitt

Graduate Commercial Manager

Degree in Architecture

What does my job involve?

I move around the business handling aspects of delivering infrastructure projects – that means risk management, payments, contract drafting, conflict management, project management, forecasting costs etc. Recently I’ve become involved in leading onInnovation Strategy.

What do I like most about my job?

River Tamoor Baig

CEO & Founder of Hack Partners

Degree in Computer Science

What does my job involve?

Planning for company long term strategy and business development for the company.

What do I like most about my job?

Changing an industry for the good of the public and making an impact on the world starting with the UK rail industry!

Tracey Barber

HR Manager – Swietelsky/SB Rail

Advanced Diploma HR

What does my job involve?

I work with the Company on a wide range of HR projects including recruitment and succession, staff retention, employee engagement and policy legislation.

What do I like most about my job?

I am always learning more in the Rail industry and no 2 days are ever the same. The camaraderie with the SB Rail Team ensures everyone feels welcome and part of the team.

Chris Stanley

Route Asset Data & Analysis Manager at Network Rail

A Level

What does my job involve?

Leading a team to improve data about our track side assets and turn it into intelligence to aid decision making. Treating data as an asset.

What do I like most about my job?

This is a newly created role within Network Rail allowing me to shape the direction the Route take. Every day there is a new challenge and something new to learn.

Christopher Redshaw

Apprentice Rail Operative at Bombardier Transportation

What does my job involve?

My job involves maintenance of the Crossrail Class 345 fleet. I will be based at the new Old Oak Common Depot once built. I am currently studying towards an NVQ in Traction & Rolling Stock.

What do I like most about my job?

Although I have just started, everyday is different learning new things about the railway and Depot environment and meeting new people in the railway. I’m really enjoying my new career as a apprentice rail operative.

Harriet Sergent

Maintenance Protection Coordinator at Network Rail

What does my job involve?

As Maintenance Protection Coordinator I act as the main interface between Maintenance and any third parties working on the railway, lineside neighbours and local communities.

What do I like most about my job?

I like the variety of the job, no two days are the same. I also really enjoy working with all of the teams and disciplines within our delivery unit.

Rebecca Fennelly

Mobile Operations Manager, Network Rail

BA History

What does my job involve?

The main part of my job is incident response which can cover a vast mix of situations.
When not doing this, it’s my role to ensure the railway remains safe for everyone using it and around.

What do I like most about my job?

I love the variety of it. Every day has to potential for something completely different. You interact with so many people, not just in network rail but also the public, train companies and emergency services.

Thomas Willis

Principal Technical Officer Electrification & Plant – Network Rail

NVQ Level 2 in Rail Engineering & City and Guild Electrical Qualifications

What does my job involve?

Managing maintenance records, trending data and acting accordingly to results that are out of tolerance.
Organise minor project work for the maintenance department working with other key department members.
Improve our current systems andprocedures.

Vivek Vilay

STO(Track) Network Rail

Foundation Degree Railway Engineering

What does my job involve?

I work across Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire with Platforms, Bridges, Tunnels, Rail and Track. fault find and propose solutions. Weekends work involves installation. I survey for refurbishment and renewal. I assist renewal work and machines.

What do I like most about my job?

The challenge working on this railway.
Take advantage of dry and calm weather, Independent Working, the improvements made, meeting different colleagues, travelling far seeing the railway amongst the fells and natural landscape.

Adam Parkinson

Operations Supervisor – Rail Operations Group

CertHE Railway Operations Management 2019

What does my job involve?

I have to prepare trains for service, supervise train movements, undertake safety checks, solve any technical or logistical problems. Engage with signallers, drivers, commercial managers, controllers and other railway staff to get the job done.

What do I like most about my job?

When you know you have solved a problem and that train gets to its destination because of your experience and input, that’s quite rewarding.

Georgina Cooper

Standards and Competency Management System Manager for GTR and Special Constable for the British Transport Police

BA Hon Sport Coaching and Development

What does my job involve?

Writing/Reviewing Standards and assessments. Monitoring controller competencies for Service Delivery using our bespoke CMS.

I also dedicate a minimum of 16 hours a month to the British Transport Police as a Special Constable.

What do I like most about my job?

Josh Meaton

Grade 8 Signaller at Network Rail

What does my job involve?

My day to day job involves controlling all trains going in and out of London Charing Cross and Cannon Street. Dealing with problems and regulating train movement.

What do I like most about my job?

I love how different the job can be everyday. There isn’t one the same. Keeping thousands of people’s lives safe everyday on track and on trains is a big responsibility but greatly satisfying.

Mark Bennett

National Driver Training Development Manager at LNER

HND

What does my job involve?

I’m seconded to work with Rail Delivery Group to help deliver the Driver Academy Programme. This involves running projects including how we will recruit & train drivers of the future and Diversity & Inclusion.

What do I like most about my job?

Working on the driver academy programme has given me the opportunity to look at how we bring new and diverse talent into the industry and its really exciting time to be involved in the industry.

Michelle Dickinson

Community Engagment Manager at London North Eastern Railway (LNER)

GCSE’s

What does my job involve?

The Community Engagement Manager engages with community and charity partners along LNER’s route to create, plan and implement initiatives to promote LNER’s Community Investment Strategy and the wider responsible business agenda.

What do I like most about my job?

The variety of people I engage with from a huge range of organisations and stakeholders from Education providers to Community Rail Partnerships and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to internal colleagues. It’s challenging but exciting!

Simon Aston

Operations Risk Advisor at Network Rail

Degree in English Literature

What does my job involve?

My job involves keeping the public, passengers and our workforce safe on the operational railway, ensuring the safe running of trains past our signals, in and out of our stations and over our level crossings.

What do I like most about my job?

The variety, the pressure and the people. In no particular order.

Tawsif Ahmed

Operations Assistant at London Underground

Degree in Economics

What does my job involve?

Working on the Frontlines as part of the operations team that manage, operate and ensure station side ops are carried out effectively e.g. Safety critical activities, customer service, platform duties & back office work.

What do I like most about my job?

Knowing that I am doing my part to ensure London is moving. The work force in general is great too, getting to know so many different people and learning something new every day.

Tommy Gore

Head of Control for Greater Anglia

MA in Politics and Economic and Social History

What does my job involve?

I lead a team of 50+ people located in the GA control centre, where we’re responsible for responding to and managing incidents on a daily basis to make life a little easier for our customers.

What do I like most about my job?

I love getting out and about across our network, and meeting different people. No two day is the same on the railway, and it’s that variety that I love.

Aaron Sawyer

Graduate Engineer at SNC-Lavalin

Master Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

What does my job involve?

My primary objective at work is to learn, whilst providing a variety of consulting services to our clients. One year in, placements have included: technical investigation, market research and building an operational concept model.

What do I like most about my job?

Problems: they are great, and even better when at first seem daunting! Solving them with technical experience and hard work whilst balancing: a timely delivery, budget, and client satisfaction add to the thrill and enjoyment.

Amal Makki

Undergraduate Engineer at Rail Delivery Group

Biomedical engineering

What does my job involve?

Providing support to the Planning, Engineering, Operations team. Taking part in some of their projects which aim to improve the railway performance of train operating companies. Endeavour the development of GPS tracking systems on trains.

What do I like most about my job?

The friendly and supportive environment.
Being part of an organisation that helps improving the railway experience for millions of passengers.

Andre Blackwood

Assistant Telecommunications Engineer at Atkins

Foundation Degree in Electronic and Control Engineering / Degree in Design Management and Innovation

What does my job involve?

My job involves designing, integrating and testing various telecommunications systems on the railway to help rail employees communicate with each other and passengers, manage stations and other infrastructure and provide information to passengers.

What do I like most about my job?

I like getting to develop designs and see them go from paper to working systems that meet the clients needs, Travelling to new places for interesting projects and working with new people on projects teams.

Benoît Surroca

Test & Commissioning Manager at Transport for London

MSc in Guided Transport engineering

What does my job involve?

The Deep Tube Upgrade Programme will renew major assets (such as Trains and signalling) for 4 underground lines. I make strategies and plans to test and implement those assets onto our railway.

What do I like most about my job?

Being involved with most stakeholders and having to understand the rationale behind the wide variety of requirements. T&C is extremely interesting, I’m always learning and trying new things out.

Bryant Yates

Associate

BEng(Hons) BSc CEng MIMechE RPP MAPM

What does my job involve?

Managing the delivery of complex railway engineering design projects by a multi-disciplinary team whilst working collaboratively with my clients to achieve the benefits they wish to deliver.

What do I like most about my job?

Working with highly skilled people, building teams tailored to the projects required, applying new thinking and technologies to solve complex problems and the variety of projects – I am never bored!

Chris Jones

Graduate Railway Electrical Engineer

MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering

What does my job involve?

Placements on a rotational basis, including core placements: Signalling, Rolling Stock, Stations and Power. Tailoring my future placements towards signalling and point system design.

What do I like most about my job?

The chance to get involved with everything from daily operations of the railway (Fleet Engineering for the Metropolitan Line), to design for major projects like: Northern Line Extension, 4LM Signalling and Victoria Station Upgrade.

Gareth Dennis

Permanent Way Engineer at Arcadis

MEng Civil Engineering with Construction Management

What does my job involve?

We are at the interface of civil and mechanical engineering; our designs enable faster, bigger trains to run on existing tracks or, failing that, we design new railway lines for higher speeds and capacity.

What do I like most about my job?

Getting to see the difference my projects have made to society at large… Whether it is taking more freight off the road or connecting communities long forgotten, the railway enables that opportunity.

IBIMINA DODIYI-MANUEL

Engineer at SNC-Lavalin

MEng in Electronic/Electrical Engineering

What does my job involve?

Providing technical and strategic support to Rail Industry clients including manufacturers, operators, asset owners, government bodies and others.

What do I like most about my job?

The diverse range of projects I am exposed to by working for an Engineering consultancy

Jemma

Senior Engineer/ Temporary Works Co-ordinator on EGIP project

Degree in Civil Engineering/ Incorporated Engineer

What does my job involve?

I ensure all the temporary works across the route is planned, designed, installed, checked and dismantled safely. I bridge the gap between the designers and constructions teams.

What do I like most about my job?

I get to solve complex engineering and logistical problems. I am helping to make the Railways more efficient and sustainable. I get to see the direct impact my job has on the Scottish Landscape.

Joe Dodgson

Track Engineer at Arup

MEng (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering

What does my job involve?

I design railway alignments and track componentry. The types of projects I work on are upgrading existing rail networks, or designing alignments for new railways.

What do I like most about my job?

The best thing about my job is knowing that the designs I carry out will improve connectivity of communities and improve people’s travel experiences.

Kate Wilson

Track Design Engineer, WSP

MSc in Railway Systems Engineering and Intergration, FdEng in Railway Engineering

What does my job involve?

Delivering track designs from feasibility through to detail design. As well as designing brand new railways such as HS2, its also about maintaining and adapting the current infrastructure that we depend on every day.

What do I like most about my job?

Coming up with solutions to complex problems and implementing them, literally shaping the world we live in as well as designing for a better future. It is a very rewarding job.

Katie Anderton

Principal Environmental Consultant

BSc Geography (Hons) / Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) / Full Member of IEMA (MIEMA)

What does my job involve?

I am an Environmental Consultant undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments to support a range of planning applications in the infrastructure sector . I am currently advising clients on environmental impacts, environmental mitigation, consents andenvironmental monitoring.

What do I like most about my job?

Keith Upton

Signalling Engineer at Atkins

MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering

What does my job involve?

I currently work in early design development of signalling projects; undertaking design development or managing the development of the early design. This could be on a variety of different projects all across the UK.

What do I like most about my job?

The variety of work and opportunities and the chance to get out of the office and onto the railway itself.

Laura Reardon

Senior Safety Consultant at Atkins

MEng in Engineering Science

What does my job involve?

Identifying hazards, evaluating different options and developing solutions so a proposed system is ‘safe by design’. I also help Train Operating Companies focus their efforts to reduce risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

What do I like most about my job?

Working with a wide variety of disciplines and people across the industry when asking questions is part of my job.

Marta Hidalgo

Stations Design at Arup

MSc Civil Engineering

What does my job involve?

Coordinating the engineering and stakeholders’ views within one station design. Unfortunately, we can’t always satisfy everyone’s requirements but we work to incorporate these in the best possible way. This is when creativity comes into play!

What do I like most about my job?

Being able to design interventions and improvements at stations – the link between the rail infrastructure and cities! – which will have a positive wider impact on the local community and how they travel.

Maya Zaatar

Undergraduate Engineer at Rail Delivery Group

BEng Sustainable Energy Engineering

What does my job involve?

My job involves helping the Planning, Engineering and Operations team in RDG to complete their projects. The projects involve helping the TOCs improve their performance, or the development of GPS tracking device for trains.

What do I like most about my job?

I’m part of very varied projects aimed to increase my knowledge not only in engineering, but also in business and management. I have also been to a meeting in Newcastle, which was great!

May-Ann Lew

Consultant at SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit

Masters in Mechanical Engineering

What does my job involve?

I work on major railway re-signalling projects, such as re-signalling on the London Underground.

What do I like most about my job?

Working in large teams with different people such as Operators, Engineers, Designers, Project Managers and Commercial Managers is always very dynamic and exciting.

MD Sadat Rashid

Control System Engineer at Siemens

Aerospace Engineering

What does my job involve?

Signal design and testing to be placed for Network Rail

What do I like most about my job?

Testing and gaining insight in to new problems and solving them

Megan Ablott

Signalling and Telecoms Apprentice at Carillion Rail

Apprenticeship

What does my job involve?

Designing, installing, testing and project planning for signalling and telecommunication works.

What do I like most about my job?

I love that everyday is different and I learn from different colleagues. The job is adaptable, after my apprenticeship I will be able to choose if I want a track or office based role.

Mohanad Ismail

Project Engineer at Telent

MSc in Digital Systems

What does my job involve?

It requires me to be creative and inhabit out of the box thinking. I become exposed to various projects with unique challenges, as a result I am always doing something new.

What do I like most about my job?

What I like most about my job is the fact that my work has the potential in positively impacting people and exposes me to the challenges that I need to develop.

Mutsa Kamudzandu

Project Engineer at telent

BSc (Hons) Information Technology Management

What does my job involve?

Project delivery of complex telecoms projects from Output Definition to Project Closeout. Different projects bring different challenges therefore a big proportion of my role involves interface management of multi-disciplinary project teams.

What do I like most about my job?

The balance of office work and opportunities to get out the office to implement design concepts into life and experience the difference they make to public safety.

Nada Abouelhiga

Digital Railway Support Engineer at Rail Delivery Group

MEng in Medical Engineering

What does my job involve?

My job in a nutshell is to provide the RDG New Technology Introduction Group with support for project work relating to Digital Railway Technologies. I am also completing the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme.

What do I like most about my job?

I enjoy that I get to work with a large variety of people. I also enjoy knowing that the projects I am working on today will directly impact and improve the railways of tomorrow (hopefully!).

Obie Achigbu

Rail Systems Engineer at Ove Arup & Partners

BEng (Hons) in Telecommunications engineering/ MSc in Electronic systems with Communication

What does my job involve?

My role involves the use of technical processes in the coordination of complex multidisciplinary rail projects to ensure that the clients and stakeholders requirements are met and to ensure the realisation of a successful system.

What do I like most about my job?

Being a Systems Engineer in Rail means that I interact with all parties on some exciting projects and have a front seat at watching stakeholder needs translated into achieveable design elements.

Sutopa Paul

Engineering Contracts Manager at GWR

MEng Aerospace Engineering

What does my job involve?

Management of major contracts with delivery of new trains. This involves chairing meetings with key stakeholders, leading teams to deliver their obligations, providing commerical advise to the business and dealing with challenging situations/ conversations.

What do I like most about my job?

I love a role that is dynamic, fast paced and intellectual stimulating. This job is a combination of engineering, business and law, which enables me to understand decisions made at a strategic level.

Usman Ahmed

Graduate Engineer at Network Rail

BEng Civil Engineering

What does my job involve?

Looking at thousands of railway assets (bridges, tunnels, walls) and making sure they last as long as possible through maintenance & repairs.

What do I like most about my job?

The fact that on Monday I could be checking an examination report, and on Wednesday I could be travelling to site checking the physical asset!

Victoria Aviomoh

Telecoms Design Consultant at Arup

BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Communication Engineering, MSc in Telecommunications

What does my job involve?

My role involves the design of Surveillance, Information and Security Systems in Rail stations and Operational Lineside Telecommunication systems including GSM-R coverage along the rail track routes.

What do I like most about my job?

Knowing that I have contributed to improving atleast one person’s rail commute and creating a safer and user friendly rail environment.

Dom Mottram

Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail

BA Geography & Transport and BSc Railway Operations Management

What does my job involve?

Working with Network Rail & HS2 to make sure the new High Speed Trains can run on the existing conventional railway network.

What do I like most about my job?

Working with great people, and knowing that what we’re doing now will help run the railway in the UK for at least the next fifty years.

Emilie Brignall

Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail

Degree in Biological Sciences

What does my job involve?

I’m part of the London to Corby Electrification project, managing the construction of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) along approximately 30 miles of track.

What do I like most about my job?

I love dealing with people, and that’s what my job is all about; coordinating the efforts of my team to ensure the OLE is delivered safely, and to time/cost/quality.

Emma Harmsworth

Sponsor at Network Rail

Degree

What does my job involve?

To make sure that a project is governed effectively and delivers the objectives/ realises the benefits set out in the business case.

What do I like most about my job?

The varied nature of the work and the importance of collaborating and communicating with a large number of people and disciplines.

Hollie Woodard

Project Manager at VolkerRail

APMP

What does my job involve?

My job involves managing multi-disciplinary renewals projects, I am responsible for ensuring my package of works is delivered safely, on time and to budget.

What do I like most about my job?

The thing I like most about my job is working in teams, I believe that by demonstrating collaborative behaviours and use of clear communication all projects can be succesful.

Olivia White

Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Manager

Politics degree

What does my job involve?

Engaging with all different types of stakeholders who may be affected by a project,including residents, businesses, politicians, local authorities, trade unions and community groups.

What do I like most about my job?

The variety of people I engage with from staunch advocates to those against a scheme. I love it when, with a delivery team, I can reduce or mitigate concerns from a stakeholder.

Shaun Giddins

Project Manager (Change) at Network Rail

What does my job involve?

It involves engaging with teams to improve them in everything they do via a behavioural change, coaching and mentoring others is a huge part in the supporting of the teams in creating better positive habits.

What do I like most about my job?

My role is both challenging and rewarding so I consider myself very lucky in that I love my job and the best bit is working with people …

Ash

Mobile Application Developer at Network Rail

A Level

What does my job involve?

Developing Apps for the Railway, allowing stations to pass data to each other quicker, show trackside staff the closest toilets/services to them, access/egress, charity work.

What do I like most about my job?

The railway is so diverse that every single day is different – the challenges are never the same!

Stephen Hartley

Accreditation Analyst at Rail Delivery Group

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

What does my job involve?

Liaising with retailers and train operating companies to ensure that rail tickets are sold correctly. This means passengers are issued with the right ticket for their journey, and that revenue reaches the operators owed.

What do I like most about my job?

The scale of the task – almost a billion tickets are sold each year – but more importantly, working with people who are passionate about the railway, and the social and economic benefit it delivers.

Pam Martin

Director of PM Training and Assessing Ltd

Degree in Business, IV, Assessor and Trainer

What does my job involve?

I am the IRSE Assessing Agency Manager for PM Training and Assessing Ltd, where I am responsible for managing the assessment process for IRSE licencing. I also train people to become Trainers, Assessors and IQAs.

What do I like most about my job?

I love the variety of people that I meet and I get a real kick out of seeing people gain their qualifications that they have worked hard for.

Paul Humes

Training Manager ISS Labour

Level 4

What does my job involve?

My role involves the day to day management of training and assessments both for Track safety and Overhead line competence

What do I like most about my job?

What I like most is seeing learners achieving their goals and being part of their journey

Emily Shovlar

Integrated Transport Assistant at Rail Delivery Group

MSc in Sustainable Cities

What does my job involve?

My team manages and delivers integrated modes with the railways – think PlusBike, PlusBus, cars and cycle parking. I support all this, and am also researching smart city transport and integration ideas for the future.

What do I like most about my job?

Working with a huge range of organisations – DfT, Network Rail, TOCs, BTP, Sustrans and cycling stakeholders. It’s challenging but exciting.

Liam Henderson

Rail Transport Planner at Transporting Cities

MSc Transport Planning & Management

What does my job involve?

I assess the need for rail access in the long term and create extension schemes or investment projects that meet policy and development goals set by operators, local authorities and developers.

What do I like most about my job?

I like that I get to have an input on the development of cities and the way people will get about in future. As an independent consultant I have control over my work life balance.